The Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office worked the phone to the hilt on Thursday, as they wheeled and dealed with a few teams on their way to reshaping a group that was seemingly in need of a vast change. To partly address their mission to give the Cavs a facelift, Cleveland general manager Koby Altman dealt point guard Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye, and the Cavs’ first-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr.
It will take some time before anyone could give a full assessment on whether this blockbuster deal with the Lakers was all worth it for Cleveland, but the Cavs, Altman in particular, sounded pretty happy with their addition of Clarkson and Nance.
Per Nikki Goel of ClutchPoints:
“Jordan and Larry add athleticism, energy and length to both ends of the court for us. This trade is also a reflection of our continuing commitment to invest in our roster in ways that help us evolve and compete at the highest level now and into the future,” said Altman.
The two former Lakers inject youth into the Cavs. Both Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. are only 25-years-old. Moreover, the Cavs rid themselves of two defensive liabilities while at the same time got a pair who are more versatile and effective defenders than Thomas and Frye.
Clarkson was averaging 14.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game with the Lakers prior to the trade. Nance, on the other hand, is putting up 8.6 points and grabbing 6.8 rebounds per game so far this season.
